ROCK-DOVE.— TURTLE-DOVE. 179 



It has been obtained very rarely. I can only give the follow- 

 ing instances : — Mr. EUman informed me that one was shot 

 by Mr. Vidler, near Pevensey, in February 1853. Mr. Button 

 records another shot near Bell Tout Lighthouse^ iu January 

 1865, and a third at Holywellj near Hastings (' Zoologist/ 

 p. 9578). I found them abundant on the coast of co. Mayo, 

 and had an opportunity of observing the marvellous rapidity 

 of their flight when dashing out of the caves in the rocks of 

 that iron-bound coast. This species is considered to be the 

 progenitor of the domestic Pigeon. 



TURTLE-DOVE. 



Turtur communis. 



This beautiful Dove is migratory, appearing iu May and 

 leaving us eai-ly in October. It breeds in the underwoods of 

 our copses and shaws, and lays its eggs on a platform of 

 small sticks so loosely constructed that they may often be 

 seen through it, and seldom at any great height from the 

 ground. It is very fond of salt, and may often be observed 

 in little flocks on the salt-marshes. Feeding on corn, it after 

 the harvest frequents the stubbles, and is especially fond of 

 tares. Its note may be expressed by the syllables " ciirr ciirr." 

 Its flight is very rapid. On its first arrival seven or eight 

 may occasionally be seen together, and they assemble in the 

 latter part of September in still larger numbers, a few days 

 before they take their departure. 



n2 



